Thanks for the compliment. I take good care of my equipment. The side deflector is a vulcher mulcher. You can change the settings on it to completly mulch or side discharge. It all depends on the growth of the grass your cutting. If I cut between houses or an area with alot of kids I put it down so it doesn't throw any thing. It's great in the fall for leave clean ups. I put the shoot down compeletly and mulch the leaves down, then I put the shoot up and put a bag on the mower and collect the leaves. The leave material is cut way down. It works really well also at not throwing grass clippings into beds.